Cup of Roasted Coffee

21; charlottie

Paul, Bill, and Ted sat in dead silence as they drove through the night of Hatchetfield. Not a word had been spoken since Ted picked each of them up from their homes, and even then it was only simple greetings. They were on their way to a place they were just last week, laughing and smiling. Only this time, none of that wouldn't be happening.

As the car pulled up to 2178 Pink Windmill Road, they all exchanged glances. Something was about to happen.

A knock found its way onto the brown front door outside, its paint chipped and knob rusted. There was no plan or prepared speech, and that was probably the scariest part of it all. They watched as the doorknob moved ever so slightly while someone on the opposing end fumbled with it. Soon enough, it opened wide to reveal a disheveled Sam, hair a mess and clothes wrinkled. He appeared to have just gotten out of bed.

"Oh, fucking hell. What do you guys want?"

First and foremost, Ted was surprised to hear that Sam wasn't kicking them out immediately. He would've thought that would be the initial reaction if any from the police officer. Paul and Bill weren't sure what to think at this moment.

Ted cleared his throat. "Is Charlotte here?"

The three men watched as Sam rolled his eyes. "Is she here?" He mocked. "She's been here for days, non-fucking-stop. Hasn't left since the barbecue thing."

She was here.

She was...safe?

Paul forced himself to step forward. "Can you tell her Mr. Davidson needs her at work tomorrow, please?"

That wasn't the reason they'd come here, but it sure as hell was an excuse to be so. All they needed to know was that she was here. If she showed up at work tomorrow, which she probably would now, then they could see for themselves what the damage was.

The next day, the office was frantic. A new system, that was just recently put into order, gave everyone the same deadline for their reports, meaning half the office had a shorter work time and was rushing to get their work finished. With everyone running around, it was difficult to notice Charlotte's presence. However, she was there.

She was there.

"Charlotte! How've you been?" Bill stood at the entrance to her cubicle, two drinks from Starbucks in his hands. He looked her over: messy hair, a cat sweater, and a pink headband. She seemed to be her regular self.

"Oh, hello, Bill." Charlotte turned around in her spinning chair to greet him. It was clear to him how that she'd gotten barely any sleep last night. He suddenly felt bad for her being asked to be at work.

"How are you doing? Can I get you a, uh," he looked around for anything he could offer her for a moment. Oh right, the extra drink, yes. Holding out the caramel frappe, he grinned. "From Starbucks?"

Charlotte forced a tiny smile onto her face and shook her head. "Oh, no, I couldn't, Bill. I'd have to pay you back but...," a sigh, "I really don't have it on me right now. Thank you, though! Really..."

Paul and Ted, who'd been eavesdropping the entire time, finally turned their heads towards the other two.

"Hey, Charlotte?" Ted called her name, grabbing her attention quickly. "We were going to go grab dinner after work- with Emma and Melissa, if you wanted to tag along?"

To anyone standing nearby, the scene was a sight to see. The office hadn't seen the soft side of Ted yet and it was interesting, to say the least. The compassion in his eyes was enough to make Charlotte nod once. "I...I'll be there."